A word of caution: I hope you have a number of other responsibilities in life that will keep you away from the Dope for at least a few hours a day.
As a fairly new member, I sometimes wish I hadn’t joined, because too often I find it difficult to pull myself away to do something else. I signed up shortly after I lost my job, and I blame my Dope addiction, in part, for the fact that I’m still unemployed. That’s more my fault than the Dope’s, but I have never before been one of those “sit all night in front of the computer” types. I don’t IM or play MMPORG’s (or whatever that acronym is). But the Dope? Ah, the Dope is far too often my closest personal contact of the day. That’s just scary.
I came here at the recommendation of a friend, a years-long lurker (hi, Keef!) who told me that smarty-pants Lost fans could be found chatting around this virtual water-cooler. After reading Cafe Society obsessively for a few days, and blowing through a trial membership, I knew there was no way I could go back to just reading and not contributing.
The level of intelligence, wit and - praise Og! - spelling and grammar ability to be found here is unparalleled. I’ve learned a lot from Dopers’ expertise and opinions. It has forced me to write better, more cogent arguments so as not to embarass myself whilst discussing the nuances of American Idol and Britney Spears.
But seriously, it’s bad. If you look at the times of my posts…on second thought, don’t. Don’t do that.
It works you powers that be, it worked.